1.
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
the LORD. Hebrew Jehovah App-4 . For, &c. Figures of Speech. Amoebaeon and Epistrophe. App-6 .
mercy = loving-kindness, or grace.
2.
O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.
O give thanks. Note the Figures of speech Coenotes and Anaphora ( App-6 ) in verses: Psalms 136:1 , Psalms 136:2 , Psalms 136:3 .
God of gods. Hebrew. Elohim. of the elohim. App-4 .
gods. Hebrew. 'elohim. See note on Psalms 135:5 and Exodus 22:9 .
3.
O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.
LORD of lords. Hebrew Adonim of the adonim. App-4 . Compare Deuteronomy 10:17 .
4.
To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.
5.
To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.
made the heavens. Compare Genesis 1:1 .
6.
To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.
above. i.e. in Genesis 1:1 , and 2 Peter 3:5 . By the overthrow of Genesis 1:2 the earth became a ruin, being "overflowed" (2 Peter 3:6 ), and covered with "the deep" (Genesis 1:2 ).
7.
To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:
great lights. Genesis 1:14 , "lightholders".
8.
The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever:
to rule = to have dominion. Genesis 1:16-18 .
9.
The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.
10.
To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever:
smote Egypt. Compare Exodus 12:29 .
11.
And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever:
brought out Israel. Compare Exodus 13:17 .
12.
With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever.
hand . . . arm. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia ( App-6 ).
13.
To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever:
14.
And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever:
15.
But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.
overthrew = shook off.
16.
To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever.
17.
To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:
18.
And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:
19.
Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever:
Sihon, &c. These two verses (verses: Psalms 136:19 , Psalms 136:20 ) not an "interpolation". See note above.
20.
And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever:
21.
And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever:
their: i.e. Sihon ' s and Og's. Not a verse "clearly dropped out", which contained the noun for this pronoun. The kings named show "whose" land is referred to. An "interpolation" from which a verse has "dropped out" is a new idea in the field of imaginative criticism; and, if true, would be quite unworthy of a "commentator ' s" time and trouble.
22.
Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever.
23.
Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever:
24.
And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.
redeemed = rescued. Hebrew. parak = to break. Thus to rescue, by breaking the bonds. Rendered "redeem" only here (and Daniel 4:27 in the Vulgate versions: Authorized Version "break off").
enemies = adversaries.
25.
Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.
food. Hebrew = bread. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Species) for all kinds of food.
flesh. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part) for all living beings. App-6 .
26.
O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.
GOD. Hebrew El. App-4 .
GOD of heaven. See note on 2 Chronicles 36:23 .